In summary, ACE supports data sharing with energy companies to help target social tariffs, but has concerns that Government is focussing on energy price/income support to eradicate fuel poverty, rather than the energy efficiency improvements that would provide a sustainable long-term solution to the problem (and deliver the wider societal benefits in terms of energy security, carbon emission reduction and job creation).

Data sharing opens up more opportunities for eradicating fuel poverty than set out in the proposed scheme, and energy suppliers should be required to deliver the most cost-effective energy efficiency measures to the vulnerable households identified, providing greater cuts in energy bills and crucially contributing towards saving co2.

Combined with the Winter Fuel Payment, these households will receive at least £350, most likely in perpetuity. Government should investigate whether such monies could be used to fund the repayment of a ‘whole house’ energy efficiency package, under the type of delivery mechanism proposed in their Heat and Energy Saving Strategy Consultation.